Zolt offers several ways to log because the best method depends on the meal. Choose the fastest option that still gives you a record you can review.
Choose a logging method
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Text description | Mixed meals and everyday logging |
| Search | A known food or restaurant item |
| Barcode | A packaged product |
| Nutrition-label photo | A product missing from the database |
| Food photo | A meal that is difficult to describe |
| Recipe | Food you prepare repeatedly |
| iMessage | Logging without opening the app |
Text description
Describe the meal in plain language, then review the parsed items and portions before saving. Include details that materially change the entry, such as portion size, cooking oil, dressing, or whether meat was skinless.
You do not need to write like a database. “Two eggs, two slices of sourdough, and a flat white” is more useful than a list of isolated keywords.
Search, barcode, and labels
Use search when you want a specific database item. Use the barcode scanner for packaged food. If the product is missing, a clear nutrition-label photo can help you create a reusable custom food.
Check the serving size before saving. A correct label with the wrong number of servings still produces the wrong diary entry.
Food photos
A photo can be useful when you cannot easily describe or itemize a meal. It is still an estimate because the image may not reveal weight, ingredients, cooking fat, or what is underneath the visible food.
Review the result and correct obvious misses. Use text, a label, or a known recipe when you have better information.
Recipes and repeat meals
Build a recipe for food you make often. Enter the ingredients and servings once, then log the appropriate serving later. This usually saves more time than repeatedly rebuilding the same meal.
A practical accuracy standard
Complete, reviewable records are more useful than occasional bursts of perfect logging. Focus on:
- recording every meal and drink that contributes meaningful energy;
- using consistent portions for repeat foods;
- checking oils, sauces, snacks, and beverages;
- correcting obvious mistakes; and
- marking days you could not log reliably.
Do not hide a high-intake day or fill a missing day with invented precision. The goal is an honest record, not a tidy graph.
After you save
Open the diary and confirm the foods, portions, and meal time. If something is wrong, use Correcting meals and portions. If the day is incomplete, use Handling incomplete days.
For logging by text message, see Logging through iMessage.